Best Strap Cutter For 12-14 Oz

[bkm]

I am having the exact same issue with the Tandy strap cutter as described by the original poster. I am cutting harness leather. I ordered 10/12 oz. but I it is much thicker. I am leveling the straps in a splitter to 0.20" (7/32") but some of it is over 0.3" thick, which would be better than 18oz.

I broke a few blades when I managed to get some side-force on the blade as a result of running it along a edge that wasn't straight. I was able to get a lot more straps per blade as my technique improved, but I am still breaking too many blades in the thick sections. I noticed the two wood slats that hold the blade don't stay parallel even if I clamp them down hard. I also noticed the slot in the handle is not square or flat, but it is concave. This tool may work ok for thinner leather, but it is inadequate for the heavy harness.

I am glad to read advice concerning the Tandy metal draw guage, as I would have considered that had I not heard the advice against it.

I am going to look for a plough guage. The Blanchard is a little pricey but it is still probably more suitable to my budget, work style and production volume than the Weaver Master Tools hand-operated strap cutter.

[bkm]

I read in another (2013) thread that some HO harness had some rawhide in the thicker portions. I found that to be the case on the one end of the HO back I was working where it is about 0.30" thick overall. There is a hard layer of bright rawhide about 0.065" thick. I broke several blades in that. I was having to pull so hard that I could not keep the blade straight.

Regardless, I'm going to look into a sturdier draw or plow gauge. I am leaning toward the draw gauge to keep in the Western tradition, although unlike an overstitch wheel versus a pricking iron, the difference doesn't really have an effect on the resulting style.

[Alexis Sofield]

I am having the exact same issue with the Tandy strap cutter as described by the original poster. I am cutting harness leather. I ordered 10/12 oz. but I it is much thicker. I am leveling the straps in a splitter to 0.20" (7/32") but some of it is over 0.3" thick, which would be better than 18oz.

I broke a few blades when I managed to get some side-force on the blade as a result of running it along a edge that wasn't straight. I was able to get a lot more straps per blade as my technique improved, but I am still breaking too many blades in the thick sections. I noticed the two wood slats that hold the blade don't stay parallel even if I clamp them down hard. I also noticed the slot in the handle is not square or flat, but it is concave. This tool may work ok for thinner leather, but it is inadequate for the heavy harness.

I am glad to read advice concerning the Tandy metal draw guage, as I would have considered that had I not heard the advice against it.

I am going to look for a plough guage. The Blanchard is a little pricey but it is still probably more suitable to my budget, work style and production volume than the Weaver Master Tools hand-operated strap cutter.

I bit the bullet and purchased the master strap cutter from weaver. Works awesome. I cut 1 1/2 straps from a while side in under 10 min. Works great worth the money.

[bkm]

I bought a H.F. Osborne draw gauge, and fitted it with a new Terry Knipshield blade. It cuts through the heavy HO harness like butter. The blade doesn't bend or break, and it hasn't gone off-course. I've cut about twenty 3/4" straps so far, and they're all perfect. Since I hand sew each strap with 56 stitches, and will only produce a couple hundred a year, this is the right tool for my rate of production. The wooden strap cutter might have been fine for 5-6oz leather, but I'm much more pleased with the HFO draw gauge.

I believe the Knipshield blade is fashioned of modern tool steel that will hold an edge longer than the original carbon steel blades. It was reasonably sharp enough when I received it, and I could probably cut a hundred straps with it. I have a set of Japanese waterstones I will use to sharpen it as needed.

Edited April 10, 2015 by bkm

[Cobra Steve]

Hello. Our AK 20 Strap Cutting Machine has a 14 inch cutting space that is capable of cutting 16 oz. leather as well as paper, plus many other materials. Also, upon request, we offer a reversible motor. Thanks, Steve